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9 Warning Signs and Symptoms of High Cholesterol Should Never Ignore

LDL, also known as Low-Density Lipoproteins, is considered bad cholesterol, a fat-like thick component generated by our liver and can’t travel in the body, so it gets stuck in the arteries. It can be a significant cause of several troubles. 

Our body also develops HDL or high-density lipoprotein that kills LDL cholesterol. In today’s life, overeating junk food, wrong living habits, lack of exercise, taking drugs, and alcohol consumption are the basic reasons for high cholesterol. 

High cholesterol is dangerous for us, and the final result can appear as a stroke or sudden heart attack. You can know about high cholesterol levels by simple blood tests, and after the age of 25, you must have check-ups on time. 

In This Article

  1. Symptoms of High Cholesterol
  2. Symptoms of High Cholesterol during Pregnancy
  3. Symptoms of High Cholesterol on Skin
  4. Symptoms of High Cholesterol on Eyes
  5. High cholesterol cause hand Numbness
  6. Visible signs of high cholesterol

Symptoms of High Cholesterol

In this article, we describe what are the warning signs of high cholesterol that you should never ignore, so recheck yourself with these symptoms and ask your doctor for a diagnosis. 

1. Bloating and Digestive Issues

The main reason for increased cholesterol levels is overeating fatty and fried food affects our liver and produces bad cholesterol in the body. If you are facing high cholesterol, then you may feel bloated even after eating significantly less. 

Your stomach makes you feel heaviness and disinterest in appetite. The excess flow of lipid substance directly affects the metabolism and triggers the digestive system in your body, and you feel bloating and heaviness. 

If you are constantly feeling these issues, then you must go for a lipid profile test.  

2. Bad Breathing

Bad breathing is also a common symptom of high cholesterol. When the liver secrets the different substances, the LDL never dissolves in the blood, remains a bad sticky in the arteries, and prevents good digestion. When your digestion is not much good, a poor odor release by your stomach makes your breath bad. 

If you feel that suddenly your breath has gone bad and people are escaping from you, then make sure for an appointment with a doctor. 

3. Numbness in the Body Parts

Numbness in the Body Parts can be early signs of high cholesterol. If you are constantly experiencing numbness in your body parts, then high cholesterol can be responsible for that. However, other causes can also be responsible for numbness and swelling. 

When bad cholesterol appears high in your body, it affects blood circulation and prevents healthy nutrients from reaching the body. The lack of proper oxygen is also a cause of swelling and unusual numbness.    

4. Chest Pain

Chest pain is the most noticed and an important symptom that one should never ignore. People facing cardiac issues announced they were feeling heaviness and chest pain, and many of them never noticed what their body told and lost their lives. 

Due to high cholesterol, blood circulation gets affected and gives pressure on the arteries that cause chest pain, chest heaviness, and hypertension. 

If you see such symptoms in you or anybody else, directly ask for a lipid profile test and start medication as soon as possible.     

5. Headache and Nausea

Thousands of people die every year due to increased cholesterol because it affects our heart. Headache and nausea are also one of common symptoms of high cholesterol level.

There are several reasons available that can produce headaches and dizziness. Still, if you have unusual dizziness and loss of control of yourself and brain fog, it is not a usual thing. 

The interference in blood circulation prevents proper oxygen in the brain, so you feel a headache and nausea.  

6. Tiredness and Stress

If you feel excess fatigue, tiredness, and feeling sleepy the whole day, do not ignore these symptoms. Yes, that’s true that many other factors can be responsible for these symptoms, but now experts believe that high cholesterol is also a reason for excess fatigue. 

Your body needs such nutrients and oxygen, but bad cholesterol prevents your body from getting all these nutrients, so you feel a lack of energy and tiredness.    

ALSO READ: 10 Surprising Foods that Lower Cholesterol Fast

7. Weak Vision

Increased cholesterol levels can affect your vision too and make it poor. After doing many studies, it has been estimated that bad cholesterol is not suitable for your eyesight, and if not treated on time, it can be worse, and one can lose vision. 

Blur vision and excess brain fog, and lack of concentration are also side symptoms of high cholesterol levels. If you suddenly feel something is not right with your sight, get a cholesterol check-up as soon as possible.  

8. Skin Rashes

Itching, inflammation, tiny spots are also symptoms of bad cholesterol. These symptoms are very common, and you never know that the increased cholesterol can affect your skin. But that’s true. 

The interrupted blood circulation and lack of needed nutrients affect your skin health and make it dull and rough. If you feel skin sensations and spots on the skin, then ask for a lipid panel test. 

9. Breathing Difficulty

Difficulty in breathing or breath shortage is a noticeable symptom of high cholesterol levels. When you feel bloated and the pressure on the arteries, it causes breathing difficulty and heaviness on your chest. 

Your arteries need proper circulation and more oxygen to breathe well, but when LDL affects your heart health automatically, your breathing procedure gets interrupted. 

Symptoms of High Cholesterol during Pregnancy

Symptoms of high cholesterol during pregnancy will vary depending on a woman’s overall health and the particular phase of her pregnancy. However, some general symptoms that may indicate high cholesterol levels include:

  • Feeling tired all the time.
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Chest pain
  • Rapid heart rate
  • Nausea and vomiting

In some cases, high cholesterol levels may even lead to a miscarriage or preterm labor. If you are concerned about your cholesterol levels and are experiencing any of the above symptoms, please reach out to your doctor for a diagnosis and treatment plan.

Symptoms of High Cholesterol on Skin

A few symptoms can indicate that you have high cholesterol on your skin. These symptoms may include:

  1. Redness or flushing, especially around the nose and cheeks
  2. Itching or scaling, especially on the cheeks, forehead, and upper lip
  3. Swelling or tenderness, especially in the face, throat, and neck
  4. Pain or soreness when touching the skin
  5. Brown patches on the skin

Symptoms of High Cholesterol on Eyes

There are many potential symptoms of high cholesterol that can affect the eyes. Some of the more common symptoms include:

  1. Eye pain or discomfort
  2. Redness or discharge in the eye
  3. Puffy or enlarged eyes
  4. Eye fatigue or pressure
  5. Vision changes, such as blurred vision or decreased contrast sensitivity

If you notice any of these symptoms, it is essential to see a doctor as soon as possible and get checked for high cholesterol. If you are already suffering from high cholesterol, treating it early is vital in preventing any long-term damage to your eyesight.

Q. Can High cholesterol cause hand Numbness?

Ans- Yes, high cholesterol can cause hand numbness. This effect is usually due to the fact that high cholesterol levels can increase plaque formation in the arteries which reduces blood flow to extremities including your hands.

As a result, you may experience tingling or numbness when you move your fingers or grip objects firmly. If this problem goes untreated, it might even lead to complete loss of sensation in your hands and feet.

Q. What are the visible signs of high cholesterol?

Ans- There are many visible signs of high cholesterol. Some of the most common symptoms include changes in vision such as blurred vision, fatty deposits around the face, slowed heart rate along with shortness of breath during exercise.

Q. Can high Cholesterol cause Bloating?

Ans- Yes, high cholesterol can cause bloating. Cholesterol is a type of fat that is made in the liver and it plays an important role in the development of cells.

Cholesterol is also involved in the production of bile acids, which are responsible for digestion and absorption. When these processes are disrupted due to high cholesterol levels, excess water becomes stored within the body as bloaty abdominal swelling or weight gain.

Q. Can high cholesterol make you dizzy?

Ans- High cholesterol can cause dizziness, it’s not typically the cause. High cholesterol can increase your risk of dizziness, but this is only the case if it’s accompanied by high blood pressure or a history of heart problems.

Q. Does high cholesterol cause shortness of breath?

Ans- Yes, high cholesterol cause shortness of breath. Because excess LDL deposits as plaque in your heart’s tiny arteries, narrowing and stiffening them. This lowers blood flow, which can cause fatigue, shortness of breath, and chest discomfort.

In Closing

High cholesterol level has a broad impact on your overall health. These are some common symptoms that indicate that something is not okay with your health.

Moreover, we must say that you should always ask for routine check-ups, and checking the cholesterol level is easy, and a common blood test can tell you all about cholesterol. 

If you find that your liver is generating much LDL, stop eating fatty and junk food and eat healthy food that helps to develop HDL levels. 

Do some workouts, and some medication can treat this issue. If you have any questions, feel free to ask and share this information with your friends to be alert of these symptoms.     

Be sure to read: List of Food to Avoid with High Triglycerides

References

  1. High cholesterol: Overview – InformedHealth.org 
  2. Cholesterol: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly – NCBI
  3. Cholesterol Levels – PubMed

Dr Maria

MD. Board Certified physician. Fellowship In Family Medicine UK. 8 years of medical experience in Lifestyle-related health disorders. Graduated from AIIMS – All India Institute Of Medical Science, INDIA

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